Hey AaronI like the list. I could easily go with the same list.Since you want a critique, here you go.

You are going in the sierras, it's dry and even when a storm goes through in the main hiking season, it isn't enough to need a tarptent. An 8x10 tarp would be more than sufficient. You could save almost a pound (8 ounces) for each person.

Why the extra socks? Why the insanely heavy trekking poles?

That's it though. Everything else is solid and overall the list rocks.I would use almost an identical list while pushing long hard days. It just works and there is nothing to fuss with.

I could never just eat 1 pound of food a day though (not base), so I guess it doesn't pertain?

I would switch out the ponchp tarp for a regular type jacket that would be of better use against mosquitos. Extra pair of socks and a set of poles that you feel comfortable using are no burden. LT4s would be lighter, sure.

Tarptent: I have been thinking about entering the world of tarps. From my experience I sometimes prefer to just cowboy camp when I know its going to be a clear night. One of the reasons I thought a fully enclosed shelter was necessary is because of mosquitoes. I'm going to explore the pure tarp option moving forward though.

Extra socks: Could call this an optional item. I try to keep my feet dry/warm and this helps at the end of the day. I switch back and forth every day after washing/drying them.

Trekking poles: I'd love some LT4s but this choice was a frugal one. I figured since they are not pure carried weight, I could afford to put up with heavier. They were the best choice I could find at the intersection of price/strength/weight.

Rain Jacket: I sold my Patagonia rain shadow recently because I almost never wore it and it was almost 12oz. Instead of Poncho tarp I could do Dri Ducks. I thought maybe i'd get the poncho tarp and start using it as a shelter to see how I like tarp camping.

Last summer I weighed my food and actually brought 15oz per day. I never really felt hungry although it was less than I typically eat. (5'11" 190lbs). I can't remember the calorie amounts. I wasn't really doing extremely long hard days though, so thats probably the difference. If I plan a trip with longer distances I better plan to bring about 1.5# per day. Now that my gear list is getting pretty dialed in, I want to start improving my food list.

20oz of water usually works, but yes depends on the trail/season. I've gone with a 32oz bottle and never had a problem in between refills if I used some wisdom.

"Only thing I can think of is if I fell in the water at a stream crossing, it would be a big deal that my insulation items stayed dry"

This very thing happened to me last year on the JMT. It was a beautiful morning and I was hiking in shorts and t-shirt. I was not paying attention on a stream crossing and I went in, all the way in, laying in the water. The trash compactor liner kept all my gear completely dry. My down bag and down jacket were not in stuff sacks, yet remained dry. First time this has happened in 40 years of hiking, but it happened.

"What do you guys think of the trash compactor bag for a pack liner? How necessary is this? Lets say I have the golite poncho which works as a rain cover for the pack. Would I need a pack liner? "

I always use a pack liner and it has helped me a number of times. If you do have rain, it will keep your pack contents dry, and if you pack a wet shelter you can separate dry from wet gear until you get some weather to dry things out.

I have a Six Moon Designs Poncho Tarp and usually use my Gossamer Gear Twinn Spinn. I have set up in and sat out a number of storms under it and for just 9 oz. with stakes it's a great piece of gear but they are no longer around. I also have a 8 x 10 sil nylon tarp I take along also when I have others with me. I like Dri Ducks tops for rain, wind or just sitting around camp at night. Once you set up the poncho tarp you no longer have a waterproof layer to be out in. If you do plan on using a tarp I suggest practicing a bit. It's really important to pick good sites since there is no floor.

I always like to the capacity for 2 liters of water. I use a 1 liter wide mouth soda bottle and an extra 1 liter Platypus which is usually rolled up until cooking time when it is nice to have cooking and drinking water. As far as Aqua Mira or chlorine dioxide, I usually do not detect any poor taste but did have one time when it was unusually strong. I don't treat all my water but I have been using the method you are going to use with the drops put in the little bottle in the morning so i can use them as i go. The one's in the little packages are impossible to open without a knife of scissors.

I typically pack 1.5# of food a day for my Sierra trips. I try to be at 125 calories per ounce minimum.

I don't like the idea because your polycro will be on the ground where it can get wet from rain or just condensation. So, if you have to pack it wet then you would not have any type of liner to put your dry stuff. If my polycro gets wet I put it on the top of my pack, either inside our oustide (depending upon weather) and find a time to dry it out when there is sun or a dry spell.

+2 Every groundsheet I've ever carried typically ends up lashed to the outside of my pack until at least mid-morning to dry. Even in fair weather I accumulate a good deal of moisture trapped between it and the ground. Then there's the dirt issue.